Re: From New Here

[Guest guest]

Most of us on Sickbuildings have expereinced the same disbelief from our family

members. You might want to share Dr. Croft's article with your disbelieving

family members.

Stages of Mycotoxicosis: For Inhalation of Mycotoxin

By Dr. Croft

The three Stages (1-3) ranging from lower to higher severity of poisoning were

modified according to exposure via the air as opposed to ingestion already

established (Forgacs et al., 1962; Joffe, 1971). A separate Stage of

convalescence occurs when a patient is completely removed from the contaminated

premises and the source of mycotoxin or mold spores.

Stage 1: The primary changes are in the brain, respiratory and immune systems,

mucus membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Signs and symptoms may include

burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, throat, palate, esophagus, and stomach,

which is a result of the action of the toxin on the mucous membranes and skin in

the exposed areas. Moist areas of the body armpits, under breasts, belt line and

groin are more sensitive or first affected. Patients may report burning within

the eyes, ears and nose. Patients also reported that their tongues felt swollen

and stiff. Mucosa of the oral cavity may be hyperemic. Mild gingivitis,

stomatitis, glositis, and esophagitis developed. Inflammation, in addition to

gastric and (small and large) intestinal mucosal, resulted in vomiting, diarrhea

and abdominal pain. Excessive salivation, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue

and tachycardia were also present.

There may be fever and sweating. The respiratory system develops burning

sensations and congestion. Severe exposure to mycotoxin within the lungs may

lead to congestion, edema and failure, due to caustic action. Body temperature

remains normal and controllable by the patient. The poisoning appears and

disappears relatively quickly in this Stage with the exception of, lungs and

central nervous system. Initially (Stage 1), the patient’s symptoms are very

uncomfortable or painful. As the poisoning continues and the patient progress

toward Stage 2, he or she becomes accustomed to the presence of the mycotoxin

and a quiescent period follows due to lack of nerve sensation. Depending on

exposure levels, the first Stage may last from 3 - 9 days. In scoring the 50

signs and symptoms listed in Tables-1 and 2, an average score range of 20-45

represents Stage 1..

Stage 2 : This Stage is often called the latent Stage or incubation period

because the patient feels apprehensive, but is capable of normal activity in the

beginning of this Stage. Every organ of the body is affected by degeneration and

necrosis with continued exposure. The primary target organs for an individual

become evident over time, due to biological variation. These are disturbances in

the central and autonomic nervous systems resulting in headaches, mental

depression, loss of short-term memory, loss of problem-solving ability, various

neuropsychiatric manifestations, meningism, severe malaise and fatigue,

narcolepsy, loss of temperature control, hyperesthesia or numbness of body

areas, and cerebellar dysfunction including hypotonia, attitude and gait,

dysmetria, asthenia, vertigo, disturbances of speech, and loss of balance (Best,

1961). Spinal cord degeneration may also be observed in gait and reflex

abnormalities, such as the ability to drive

vehicles, ride bicycles or pass sobriety tests (inability to tolerate ethyl

alcohol). Attention deficient disorder may be observed in children. Various

systems may include: Eyes: visual disturbances, floating objects, light

sensitive, lack of tears, burning and itching. Ears: burning, itching, and loss

of hearing. Immune and hematopoietic: progressive loss of white and red cells

including a decrease of platelets and hemoglobin, and high susceptibility to

bacterial, mycotic and viral infections, debilitating chemical and allergies.

Gastrointestinal: metallic taste in mouth, tooth loss, gum problems, stomatitis,

sores in gums and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, excessive

flatulence, abdominal distention, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and diabetes

mellitus. Respiratory : burning and bleeding from nasal membranes, respiratory

difficulty, asthma, extreme susceptibility to cold, flu and pneumonia. Skin:

thinning of hair on head, burning on

face, rashes, irritation, and edema. Renal: proteinuria, possible hematuria.

Reproductive: irregular ovarian cycles, increased menstrual flow, fibroid

growths in uterus, cystic development in mammary glands, and tumors of mammary

and prostate glands. Musculoskeletal : somatitis, muscle weakness, spasms,

cramps, joint pain, enlargement of joints in hand, and clubbing of fingers.

Cardiovascular: chest pain, palpitations, ruptures of atrial walls, myocardial

infection and aneurysm of arteries.

The skin and mucous membranes may be icteric, pupils dilated, the pulse soft and

labile, and blood pressure may decrease or increase. The body temperature does

not exceed 38 degree C and the patient may be afebrile, or chilled. Visible

hemorrhagic spots may appear on the skin. Thoughts of suicide may be prominent

in the person’s mind at this time or anytime in Stage 2. Human bonding is very

important for survival.

Degeneration and hemorrhages of the vessels marks the transition from the second

to the third Stage of the disease and may not be consistently observed. The

degeneration of the vital organs including serious respiratory insufficiency or

asthma and CNS degeneration will take the patient into Stage three along with

development of necrotic angina.. If exposure continues, depending on exposure

levels, Stage 2 may continue from weeks to months or even years until the

symptoms of the third Stage develop. Evaluating the 50 signs and symptoms

(Table-1 and 2) by assigning a score (0-least intense to 5-most intense or

severe) to each symptom, we have determined that an average score range of

45-180 represents Stage 2.

Stage 3: Severe degeneration of the vital organs. The transition from the second

to the third Stage is sudden. In this Stage, the patient’s resistance is already

low, and violent severe symptoms are present, especially under the influence of

stress, or associated with physical exertion and fatigue. The first visible sign

of this Stage may be lung, brain or heart failure (heart attack), with or

without the appearance of petechial hemorrhage on the skin of the trunk, the

axillary and inguinal areas, the lateral surfaces of the arms and thighs, the

face and head, and in serious Cases, the chest. The petechial hemorrhages vary

from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. There is increased

capillary fragility and any slight trauma may cause the hemorrhages to increase

in size.

Aneurysms of the brain or aorta may be observed by angiography. Hemorrhages may

also be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue, and on the soft

palate and tonsils. There may be severe interstitial thickening or scarring of

the lungs, or respiratory failure. Nasal, gastric and intestinal hemorrhages and

hemorrhagic diathesis may occur. Necrotic angina begins in the form of catarrhal

symptoms and necrotic changes soon appear in the mouth, throat, and esophagus

with difficulty and pain on swallowing. Severe degeneration of the skin on the

face, eyelids, and loss of lashes is also often present.

Necrotic lesions may extend to the uvula, gums, buccal mucosa, larynx, vocal

cords, lungs, stomach, and intestines and other internal organs such as the

liver and kidneys and are usually contaminated with a variety of avirulent

bacteria. Bacteria infection causes an unpleasant odor from the mouth due to the

enzymatic activity of bacteria on proteins. Areas of necrosis may also appear on

the lips and on the skin of the fingers, nose, jaws, and eyes. Regional lymph

nodes are frequently enlarged. Esophageal lesions may occur and involvement of

the epiglottis may cause laryngeal edema and aphonia (loss of voice). Death may

occur by strangulation.

Patients may suffer an acute parenchymatous hepatitis accompanied by jaundice.

Bronchopneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhages, and lung abscesses are frequent

complications. Tumors may develop of various organs, including skin, urinary

bladder, brain, mammary gland, bone, immune, liver, prostate, possibly resulting

in death. The most common cause of death is brain failure due to both direct

effects of the mycotoxin on the central nervous system and indirect effects due

to respiratory failure or lack of oxygen to the brain caused by the severe

caustic inflammation (fibrinous exudation) reaction with the lung tissue,

rendering it non-functional. Again, using the scoring system represented in

Tables-1 and 2, an average score of greater or equal 180 represents Stage 3.

Stage of Convalescence: The course and duration of this Stage 3 depends on the

intensity of the poisoning and complete removal of the patient from the premises

or source of mycotoxin. Therefore, the duration of the recovery period is

variable. There is considerable cellular necrosis and scarring to all major

organs of the body in which cells will not regenerate, including the brain,

spinal cord, eyes, lung, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal, and blood

vessels. If the disease is diagnosed during the first Stage, hospitalization is

usually unnecessary, but allergies and asthma should be monitored closely. If

the disease is diagnosed during the second Stage and even at the transition from

the second to third Stages, early hospitalization may preserve the patient’s

life. If however, the disease is only detected during the third Stage, death

cannot be prevented in most Cases.

1. Croft, W. A., Jastromski, B. M., Croft, A. L., and s, H. A., “Clinical

Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis in

Patients Urine”, In: Journal of Environmental Biology 23(3), 301-320

(2002).

2. Forgacs, J., and W. T. Carll : Mycotoxicoses. In : Advances in Veterinary

Science. Academic Press, New York and London,

pp 273-372 (1962).

NOTE: This is one of the scientific papers presented during the “21st Annual

International Symposium on Man and His Environment in Health and Disease.” To

read all of the papers presented, go to

http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

,

Thank You so much for posting this info, as I have not been able to

find anywhere during my internet searches regarding the damage I have

incurred. I can say with most certainty I have suffered at stage 3

for quite some length of time and am searching for medical attention

to acertain the severity. I have come across bits and peices to

conclude my condition is serious, but with this posting of info you

have presented,sadly enough, brings it pretty much all together.

--- In , <brianc8452@...>

wrote:

>

> Most of us on Sickbuildings have expereinced the same disbelief

from our family members. You might want to share Dr. Croft's article

with your disbelieving family members.

>

>

> Stages of Mycotoxicosis: For Inhalation of Mycotoxin

> By Dr. Croft

>

> The three Stages (1-3) ranging from lower to higher severity of

poisoning were modified according to exposure via the air as opposed

to ingestion already established (Forgacs et al., 1962; Joffe, 1971).

A separate Stage of convalescence occurs when a patient is completely

removed from the contaminated premises and the source of mycotoxin or

mold spores.

>

> Stage 1: The primary changes are in the brain, respiratory and

immune systems, mucus membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Signs and

symptoms may include burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, throat,

palate, esophagus, and stomach, which is a result of the action of

the toxin on the mucous membranes and skin in the exposed areas.

Moist areas of the body armpits, under breasts, belt line and groin

are more sensitive or first affected. Patients may report burning

within the eyes, ears and nose. Patients also reported that their

tongues felt swollen and stiff. Mucosa of the oral cavity may be

hyperemic. Mild gingivitis, stomatitis, glositis, and esophagitis

developed. Inflammation, in addition to gastric and (small and large)

intestinal mucosal, resulted in vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal

pain. Excessive salivation, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue

and tachycardia were also present.

>

> There may be fever and sweating. The respiratory system develops

burning sensations and congestion. Severe exposure to mycotoxin

within the lungs may lead to congestion, edema and failure, due to

caustic action. Body temperature remains normal and controllable by

the patient. The poisoning appears and disappears relatively quickly

in this Stage with the exception of, lungs and central nervous

system. Initially (Stage 1), the patient's symptoms are very

uncomfortable or painful. As the poisoning continues and the patient

progress toward Stage 2, he or she becomes accustomed to the presence

of the mycotoxin and a quiescent period follows due to lack of nerve

sensation. Depending on exposure levels, the first Stage may last

from 3 - 9 days. In scoring the 50 signs and symptoms listed in

Tables-1 and 2, an average score range of 20-45 represents Stage 1..

>

> Stage 2 : This Stage is often called the latent Stage or incubation

period because the patient feels apprehensive, but is capable of

normal activity in the beginning of this Stage. Every organ of the

body is affected by degeneration and necrosis with continued

exposure. The primary target organs for an individual become evident

over time, due to biological variation. These are disturbances in the

central and autonomic nervous systems resulting in headaches, mental

depression, loss of short-term memory, loss of problem-solving

ability, various neuropsychiatric manifestations, meningism, severe

malaise and fatigue, narcolepsy, loss of temperature control,

hyperesthesia or numbness of body areas, and cerebellar dysfunction

including hypotonia, attitude and gait, dysmetria, asthenia, vertigo,

disturbances of speech, and loss of balance (Best, 1961). Spinal cord

degeneration may also be observed in gait and reflex abnormalities,

such as the ability to drive

> vehicles, ride bicycles or pass sobriety tests (inability to

tolerate ethyl alcohol). Attention deficient disorder may be observed

in children. Various systems may include: Eyes: visual disturbances,

floating objects, light sensitive, lack of tears, burning and

itching. Ears: burning, itching, and loss of hearing. Immune and

hematopoietic: progressive loss of white and red cells including a

decrease of platelets and hemoglobin, and high susceptibility to

bacterial, mycotic and viral infections, debilitating chemical and

allergies. Gastrointestinal: metallic taste in mouth, tooth loss, gum

problems, stomatitis, sores in gums and throat, nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea or constipation, excessive flatulence, abdominal distention,

hepatitis, pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus. Respiratory : burning

and bleeding from nasal membranes, respiratory difficulty, asthma,

extreme susceptibility to cold, flu and pneumonia. Skin: thinning of

hair on head, burning on

> face, rashes, irritation, and edema. Renal: proteinuria, possible

hematuria. Reproductive: irregular ovarian cycles, increased

menstrual flow, fibroid growths in uterus, cystic development in

mammary glands, and tumors of mammary and prostate glands.

Musculoskeletal : somatitis, muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, joint

pain, enlargement of joints in hand, and clubbing of fingers.

Cardiovascular: chest pain, palpitations, ruptures of atrial walls,

myocardial infection and aneurysm of arteries.

>

> The skin and mucous membranes may be icteric, pupils dilated, the

pulse soft and labile, and blood pressure may decrease or increase.

The body temperature does not exceed 38 degree C and the patient may

be afebrile, or chilled. Visible hemorrhagic spots may appear on the

skin. Thoughts of suicide may be prominent in the person's mind at

this time or anytime in Stage 2. Human bonding is very important for

survival.

>

> Degeneration and hemorrhages of the vessels marks the transition

from the second to the third Stage of the disease and may not be

consistently observed. The degeneration of the vital organs including

serious respiratory insufficiency or asthma and CNS degeneration will

take the patient into Stage three along with development of necrotic

angina.. If exposure continues, depending on exposure levels, Stage 2

may continue from weeks to months or even years until the symptoms of

the third Stage develop. Evaluating the 50 signs and symptoms (Table-

1 and 2) by assigning a score (0-least intense to 5-most intense or

severe) to each symptom, we have determined that an average score

range of 45-180 represents Stage 2.

>

> Stage 3: Severe degeneration of the vital organs. The transition

from the second to the third Stage is sudden. In this Stage, the

patient's resistance is already low, and violent severe symptoms are

present, especially under the influence of stress, or associated with

physical exertion and fatigue. The first visible sign of this Stage

may be lung, brain or heart failure (heart attack), with or without

the appearance of petechial hemorrhage on the skin of the trunk, the

axillary and inguinal areas, the lateral surfaces of the arms and

thighs, the face and head, and in serious Cases, the chest. The

petechial hemorrhages vary from a few millimeters to a few

centimeters in diameter. There is increased capillary fragility and

any slight trauma may cause the hemorrhages to increase in size.

>

> Aneurysms of the brain or aorta may be observed by angiography.

Hemorrhages may also be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth

and tongue, and on the soft palate and tonsils. There may be severe

interstitial thickening or scarring of the lungs, or respiratory

failure. Nasal, gastric and intestinal hemorrhages and hemorrhagic

diathesis may occur. Necrotic angina begins in the form of catarrhal

symptoms and necrotic changes soon appear in the mouth, throat, and

esophagus with difficulty and pain on swallowing. Severe degeneration

of the skin on the face, eyelids, and loss of lashes is also often

present.

>

> Necrotic lesions may extend to the uvula, gums, buccal mucosa,

larynx, vocal cords, lungs, stomach, and intestines and other

internal organs such as the liver and kidneys and are usually

contaminated with a variety of avirulent bacteria. Bacteria infection

causes an unpleasant odor from the mouth due to the enzymatic

activity of bacteria on proteins. Areas of necrosis may also appear

on the lips and on the skin of the fingers, nose, jaws, and eyes.

Regional lymph nodes are frequently enlarged. Esophageal lesions may

occur and involvement of the epiglottis may cause laryngeal edema and

aphonia (loss of voice). Death may occur by strangulation.

>

> Patients may suffer an acute parenchymatous hepatitis accompanied

by jaundice. Bronchopneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhages, and lung

abscesses are frequent complications. Tumors may develop of various

organs, including skin, urinary bladder, brain, mammary gland, bone,

immune, liver, prostate, possibly resulting in death. The most common

cause of death is brain failure due to both direct effects of the

mycotoxin on the central nervous system and indirect effects due to

respiratory failure or lack of oxygen to the brain caused by the

severe caustic inflammation (fibrinous exudation) reaction with the

lung tissue, rendering it non-functional. Again, using the scoring

system represented in Tables-1 and 2, an average score of greater or

equal 180 represents Stage 3.

>

> Stage of Convalescence: The course and duration of this Stage 3

depends on the intensity of the poisoning and complete removal of the

patient from the premises or source of mycotoxin. Therefore, the

duration of the recovery period is variable. There is considerable

cellular necrosis and scarring to all major organs of the body in

which cells will not regenerate, including the brain, spinal cord,

eyes, lung, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal, and blood

vessels. If the disease is diagnosed during the first Stage,

hospitalization is usually unnecessary, but allergies and asthma

should be monitored closely. If the disease is diagnosed during the

second Stage and even at the transition from the second to third

Stages, early hospitalization may preserve the patient's life. If

however, the disease is only detected during the third Stage, death

cannot be prevented in most Cases.

>

> 1. Croft, W. A., Jastromski, B. M., Croft, A. L., and s, H.

A., " Clinical Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis in

> Patients Urine " , In: Journal of Environmental Biology 23(3),

301-320 (2002).

> 2. Forgacs, J., and W. T. Carll : Mycotoxicoses. In : Advances in

Veterinary Science. Academic Press, New York and London,

> pp 273-372 (1962).

>

> NOTE: This is one of the scientific papers presented during

the " 21st Annual International Symposium on Man and His Environment

in Health and Disease. " To read all of the papers presented, go to

http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm.

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

>